Disability, Autism & Communication
We specialise in representing clients who have disabilities including those with learning difficulties and/ or on the autistic spectrum.
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Prison officers, probation officers and Parole Board members sometimes lack understanding of autism and this can lead to unfair treatment of autistic people.
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A significant proportion of people in custody have learning difficulties and this can make it much harder for them to cope and to progress.​
The prison system is often very poor at providing the facilities, care and treatment needed by people with physical disabilities.
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We pay close attention to needs that our clients may have. We take care to ensure that their legal rights are protected and pursue litigation when it is needed.
We ask for reasonable adjustments to be made to enable our clients with disabilities to participate in their cases.
We take time to help our clients understand the procedures which affect them.
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We obtain expert reports when they are needed to ensure that our clients are treated fairly.
SL5 Legal's Managing Director, Andrew Sperling, is a member of the Criminal Justice Panel at the National Autistic Society and has delivered training to solicitors, barristers, social workers and probation officers on autism and vulnerable clients.
He is also a trainer for the Law Society’s Advocacy and the Vulnerable course and he co-drafted the Parole Board’s Easy Read Guides to Parole.
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If you, a friend or family member have communication needs, please contact us. We would be happy to help.